BELMONT, N.C. — Joe Whitaker capped off a furious ninth-inning rally for the Belmont Abbey baseball team as the Crusaders scored six runs in the final frame to earn a 10-7 win over UNC Pembroke Friday night at Abbey Yard.
Whitaker's three-run home run was his team-best eighth of the season as the Crusaders erased a three-run deficit in dramatic fashion. The Crusaders scored six runs without having a batter retired in the inning.
With Friday's results, Belmont Abbey improves to 13-5 overall and 11-2 in Conference Carolinas play. UNC Pembroke is 14-4 overall, 7-3 in league play.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- After a scoreless first inning, Belmont Abbey got three runs on the board in the second starting with an RBI single from Josh Wilson.
- Matthew Fattore drove in a run via sacrifice fly and Wilson scored on a double steal to make it 3-0 in favor of the Abbey.
- Drew Stegura got the Crusaders off to a good start by allowing just one hit over the first three innings.
- UNCP answered with a two-run home run in the fourth as both teams continued to battle.
- Stegura finished his outing by allowing just three hits on two runs and striking out four on 98 pitches.
- The Braves took the lead with a two-run single followed by a three-run home run in the eighth inning.
- Caleb Burr started the rally with a solo home run on the first pitch of the eighth inning.
- Jacob Larkins struck out the side in the ninth inning to keep the deficit at 7-4.
- The ninth-inning surge started with a pinch-hit double from Brady Roberts to lead off the ninth.
- Fattore was hit by a pitch and Connor Paul drove in both runners with a two-run double.
- Burr tied the game with an infield single which set the stage for Whitaker's home run to left field to cap the comeback.
- Larkins earned his first win of the season for the Crusaders.
UP NEXT
- Belmont Abbey concludes the series with UNC Pembroke with a doubleheader on Saturday.
- First pitch is scheduled for a 12 noon start from Abbey Yard.
